UC Santa Cruz Exchange Student Program
This program and application process is managed by the Division of Global Engagement at UC Santa Cruz and is specific to our campus. Students are nominated to participate in this program through their home university, which has a valid student exchange agreement directly with UC Santa Cruz. The Division of Global Engagement has established a number of these student exchange agreements with university partners abroad.
If you applied through the University of California’s Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), click to view UCEAP Reciprocity information.
Current Partner Institutions
Americas
| Country | Institution |
| Chile | Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile) |
| Colombia | Universidad de los Andes (UniAndes) |
| Mexico | Tecnológico de Monterrey |
Asia
Europe
Oceania
| Country | Institution |
| Australia | University of Melbourne |
QUICK LINKS
Pre-Placement
Applying via the UCSC Exchange Student Program
- Seek a nomination through your home university
- Upon acceptance of your nomination, complete the application for exchange in the UCSC iGlobal system
Post-Application Questions
For questions about the UCSC Exchange Student Program, contact ISSP.
Pre-Arrival
Requesting Certificate of Eligibility for F/J Visa
Once you have been accepted as an exchange student and accepted your offer, ISSP will contact you and provide information on the next steps. Upon submission of the required paperwork, ISSP will issue your DS-2019 (J-1 status) or I-20 (F-1 status). You will need your DS-2019/I-20 to apply for an F-1/J-1 visa stamp at the US Consulate/Embassy.
- UCSC Exchange Student Program students will submit documents to ISSP.
See the Request I-20/DS 2019 page for more information.
Making Payments to UCSC
While exchange students are exempt from certain fees, you may need to make payments to UCSC for housing (if on campus), health insurance, or other miscellaneous fees. Payments to UCSC are handled by the Student Business Services (SBS) office. More detailed information can be found on the Making Payments page in the Resources section of our site.
Health Insurance
Visit the Living in the U.S. webpage for more information.
Living in Santa Cruz
View our Living in the U.S. webpage for information and tips.
Early Move-In
Fall-starting exchange students who will live on campus can only move in on the Thursday before the International Student Orientation. Winter-starting exchange students living on campus can only move in during the regular move-in schedule. If you arrive earlier, plan to stay at a hotel, friends’ houses, or the Santa Cruz hostel in the interim.
Orientation & Visa Check-In
You must attend the International Student Orientation for Exchange and Transfer Students to learn about the campus and your new community. If you are in F-1 or J-1 status, you must complete an online visa check-in so ISSP can report your arrival and validate your record.
Enrollment
Planning your Courses
Exchange students may work with their home university advisors to plan which general courses may be useful during their exchange at UCSC. Since no specific courses are guaranteed, flexibility is essential.
A comprehensive list of courses offered at UCSC overall is found in our General Catalog. Be aware that not each class is offered every single quarter. The UCSC Class Search tool shows which courses are offered in any given quarter, as soon as the schedule is released according to the typical schedule below:
| Term | Class Search Released | Enrollment Prep Week (Appointment Assigned) | Enrollment Begins (Priority New Student) | Term Begins |
| Fall | Early May | Mid May | Early/Mid August | Late September |
| Winter | Mid November | Mid November | Mid November | Early January |
| Spring | Mid February | Mid February | Mid/Late February | Early March |
Enrollment Appointments
All students at UCSC are given an enrollment appointment – a designated time to sign up for classes. You can view your appointment time and enroll in classes through the MyUCSC system (student portal).
To see your specific enrollment time, follow these steps:
- Log in to your MyUCSC, click on “Student Center,” and then look at the “Enrollment Dates” section on the right-hand side. Click the “Details” link to see your appointment times and credit limits.
- Remember that since the enrollment system is based in California, all times are listed in Pacific Standard Time (UTC -8) or Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7), depending on the time of year that you are enrolling.
- Mark your calendar for both of your enrollment appointment periods, also known as “first pass” and “second pass” (more details below)
- Note: You will be able to see your enrollment appointment(s) by the first day of Enrollment Prep Week. Please see the Academic and Administrative Calendar.
Shopping Cart
Your shopping cart appointments are the specific dates/times when you can begin selecting your planned courses at UCSC.
Track your preliminary selections using the MyScheduler or the Schedule Planner tools, making sure the classes you have selected do not conflict with each other or with any other time commitments.
Best Practices:
- Plan ahead with several “back-up” courses.
- Flexibility and preparation are key to your success!
First Pass and Second Pass
Your enrollment appointments are classified into two time periods: First Pass and Second Pass. These are the specific dates/times when you can officially enroll in courses at UCSC.
First Pass is your first opportunity to officially add courses (up to 19 units total).
Second Pass is your next opportunity to add courses. At this time, you can add yourself to the waitlist for any classes that may already be closed (up to 14 units total).
Best Practices:
- Be sure to enroll full-time in your First Pass (12 units minimum) to ensure that you maintain your visa status successfully. This does not include waitlisted courses. You can adjust your schedule later, if needed.
- Enroll immediately once your First Pass opens up. Do not wait.
- Ensure prerequisites are cleared in advance, and/or that you have permission codes, if needed. More details below.
Resources
Please read through the following links for more details:
- Campus Orientation
- Registrar – Enrollment Information
- Class Search Tool
- Shows which specific courses are offered in a given term
- Filters can be used to show “open only” classes
- General Catalog
- Shows all classes offered at UCSC (not term-specific)
- Course descriptions
Prerequisites and Permission Codes
As an exchange student, UCSC enrollment databases usually have no record of the equivalent prerequisite courses at your home university. If you are hoping to enroll in a course that is restricted due to prerequisites, you will need a campus administrator (usually a College or Major Advisor) to enter the course equivalency into the computer system, or you may need a permission code, subject to the approval of the offering department and/or instructor of the course. The process for obtaining permission codes varies.
The following departments have specific guidelines for getting prerequisite clearance and obtaining permission codes:
- Baskin Engineering (BE): If your proposed major at UCSC falls under BE (programs listed here), please look for an email directly from an ISSP Advisor with instructions about getting permission codes for Engineering-related classes with prerequisites. This email will be sent after the course schedule is released.
- Economics: If your proposed major at UCSC is Economics, the Economics Department will receive your transcripts and post any applicable prerequisites to your MyUCSC account based on the coursework you’ve already taken at your home university. If additional clearances are needed for Economics classes, you should contact the Econ department directly (and provide a copy of your home university transcripts in English) to make this request.
- Math: Please complete the Math Department’s online Enrollment Request and Permission Code form.
- Physics: Please email physicsadvising@ucsc.edu with detailed information (syllabus, textbook title, class outline, etc) that demonstrates you have the background for the class. Physics will then post any applicable prerequisites to your MyUCSC account.
For all other departments, you can use this email template to contact the appropriate departmental Academic Advisor (found on the department’s webpage) to explain that you have the background to succeed in the class and to request a permission code.
Currently at UCSC
Maintaining Status
The Guidelines for Maintaining Valid Documents apply to all exchange students.
Enrollment Verification & Learning Agreements
Some universities or scholarship organizations require exchange students to have an enrollment verification form or learning agreement signed each term while they are studying at UCSC. ISSP advisors are familiar with these forms and can sign them for you during advising.
Employment
Exchange students should follow the employment guidelines listed here.
Enrollment Changes
If you are considering taking a “W” grade or need to drop a class for medical reasons, please review the Maintaining a Full-time Course Load webpage.
Traveling
Exchange students should follow the travel guidelines.
Early Withdrawal
If you need to withdraw from an exchange program before your original end quarter, you must notify your home university of your early withdrawal plans, then meet with an ISSP advisor.
Extend Participation
To request an extension, contact your home university first. Your home university will contact UCSC if an extension can be granted.
Before You Leave
Grace Period
- J-1 status students have a 30-day grace period after their studies which they can remain in the U.S.
- F-1 status students have a 60-day grace period.
Students may not travel outside the U.S. during the grace period and return in the same F-1 or J-1 status. Students must re-enter the U.S. as a tourist or under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). Students considering this should discuss their plans with an ISSP advisor.
Housing Contracts
Students living on campus must close out their housing contracts before their program ends, within the housing cancellation period. If you do not, you will receive a late fee and will not be able to obtain your transcript. Contact your housing coordinator for more information or review the Student Housing Services website. Students living off-campus should notify their landlord or master tenant 30 days before leaving that they are ending their lease or month-to-month agreement, especially if they have given a security deposit.
Account Charges
Make sure your UCSC account balance is in good standing and all bills have been paid before you leave UC Santa Cruz. Even minor printing fees can cause a hold, and the Registrar will be unable to issue your final transcript until it is paid. If it is a large amount, UCSC may send the bill for collection. Check with the UCSC Student Business Services for more information on your billing status and account.
Post-Departure
Transcripts
UCSC Exchange Student Program students: Your final, official transcript will be sent automatically from UCSC to your home university exchange office at no cost to you.
This process can take up to 6-8 weeks after grades are posted. If you need copies of your transcript sooner, you can print a copy of your unofficial transcript from MyUCSC, or purchase an official transcript from the UCSC Registrar.
Returnee Support
Returning from an exchange program can be challenging as you readjust to life back home, but you do not need to tackle this alone. We encourage you to reach out to your home university’s study abroad office for support if you are dealing with reverse culture shock.